Despite being over three years old, the online expansion for Grand Theft Auto V (simply titled Grand Theft Auto Online) shows no signs of slowing down. From its fast paced shooting and driving, to its cooperative missions, GTA:O has offered fans of the franchise the definitive Grand Theft Auto experience. This, paired with frequent updates for more content, has kept the Online aspect of the game alive and thriving.

Originally launching for the PlayStation 3 and XBox 360, Grand Theft Auto Online released two weeks after the launch of the single player game. Originally, it just featured generic deathmatches and races, with cooperative missions to complete with friends. However, most of the players amassed large amounts of currency through numerous exploits. These players flooded the so called “freemode”, which has the entire map of Grand Theft Auto V available for players to purchase property, rob stores, and buy vehicles to add to their collection.

However, many of these exploits were patched, and Rockstar began to add in content packs regularly. From the original Beach Bum update, to The Last Team Standing update, new cars, game modes, and clothing were added for players to get their characters.

Yet, the biggest update to the game at that point was the Heists update, which launched a year and a half after Online released. Heists required players to plan and execute missions, many of which lead into a finale, rewarding players with up to hundreds of thousands of dollars. This allowed many of people to get large amounts of money legitimately.

The end was near for the PS3 and XBox 360 versions of the game, however. The final update introduced a new radio station, and that was it. Rockstar soon decided to migrate all future updates to the enhanced PS4, XBox One, and PC version of the game, citing “console limitations” on older consoles. Such limitations included the newer consoles not having the ability to see certain songs on stations.

The game would soon come out with the Lowriders update which allowed players to customize certain vehicles(mainly those which were rusty) into a brand spanking new 4 wheel bouncer. Of course not for free though, players whose vehicle was stolen or purchased cheaply, would pay a fortune for the upgrade, meanwhile; those who purchased their vehicle at a rather high price, got their upgrade at a fair price.

The Lowriders update was the first in what would be known as a rather expensive release of content. Though a small heist was added in this update, the payment were not sufficient for players, forcing them to grind jobs, events, and heists for the luxurious life.

Soon after, the game started to really cost players as the game started to shift towards the more wealthy. Multi-million dollar super Yachts and the ability for players with over 1 million to become a VIP was released in the Executives and Other Criminals update. VIPs could hire bodyguards to protect them in freemode, as well as purchase powerful armored cars, such as a limo with a minigun mounted on it.

This update was enjoyed by many(those who could afford it at least). At this stage of the game, many modded account began to appear as people got lazier to actually work for the money. Rockstar soon noticed this and began to ban many account who appeared obviously too good to be true. This also led to the creation of the Bikers update.

The Bikers extension was basically a cheaper version of the VIP. One would purchase property, created a club and go on missions together to raise in their ranks. Many motorcycles of different looks and speed soon appeared for sale. To help out players, Stunt Races were also added and players could gain double money and experience points by participating in them.

Thus, GTA V’s online does not show any signs of slowing down and we shall see what else is to be brought upon the players. This can be very much expected, as fanatics have heard rumors of the next GTA not coming out till 2018 or 2019.